Bubble mat for bath tubs

ABSTRACT

A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump, consisting of at least one insert having a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat, a plurality of hollow pipe sections secured between each of the bars and including bubble openings disposed along the length of the pipe sections and a means for coupling the pipe sections to the air pump. In other embodiments, additional inserts are connected together by means of articulated joints. In still further embodiments, the pipe sections are joined at one end of the insert by means of a distribution element having a single input opening.

United States Patent rm Klages Mar. 11, 1975 1 BUBBLE MAT FOR BATH TUBS [76] Inventor: Ruth Kulisch geb. Klages,

Schwalbenstr. 7, 2902 Rastede, Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 386,479

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov, 25, 1972 Germany 2257935 [52] US. Cl....; 128/66, 4/180 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 9/00 [58] Field of Search 128/66, 24.1, 365; 4/180 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,198 1/1929 Millmathcr 128/66 2,719,307 10/1955 Reid 128/66 UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,262,508 5/1965 Germany 128/66 1,133,077 4/1959 Germany ..l28/66 Primary E.\'aminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allison C. Collard [57] ABSTRACT A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump, consisting of at least one insert having a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat, a plurality of hollow pipe sections secured between each of the bars and including bubble openings disposed along the length of the pipe sections and a means for coupling the pipe sections to the air pump. In other embodiments, additional inserts are con nected together by means of articulated joints. In still further embodiments, the pipe sections are joined at one end of the insert by means of a distribution element having a single input opening.

16 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATEHTED MARI 1 1975 3,870,040 snm1u 5 FATEHTED W1 1 l9 SHEET 2 0F 5 FIGA HJEHTEBHARI 1 W5 Ski-LEI 5 BF 5 FIG."

' 1 BUBBLE MAT FOR BATH TUBS I inserts are connected with each other in the articulated areas.

A bubble mat of this type is known from German Petty Pat. No. 1,773,840 wherein one unitary hose section is provided with bubble openings which is mounted in snake-like fashion to the articulately connected inserts. Therefore this bubble mat can be folded and can be'used in bath tubs of different depths such as seated tubs. The bubble effect can only be altered or adjusted over the total face of the mat. It is not possible to limit the bubble effect to defined areas of the mat. German Pat. No. 1,155,562 shows a bubble mat which uses articulately connected and disconnectable inserts, wherein the unitary snake-like pipe is assembled with pipe line sections which can also be made in one piece, together with the inserts. The ends of the pipe line sections are formed as line couplings which are shut off and sealed in the horizontal position of the bubble mat. The disconnectable arrangement of a series of inserts has the advantage that the length ofthe mat can be varied. However, the disadvantage is that the mat can only be used in a horizontal position. Therefore, if this bubble mat is used in a bath tub having a graduated bottom, the coupling points between the pipe-line sections are no longer sealed, so that an even bubble effect over the total mat area cannot be achieved. There is also the danger that the mat surfaces which are turned away from the pressure connection are completely without a bubble effect. Furthermore, this bubble mat also does not permit a bubble effect in defined mat areas. Accordingly, the present invention provides a bubble mat which can alsobe used in bath tubs having a graduated bath tub floor while still permitting a bubble effect in limited places of the mat. The assembly parts of the mat should be simple and easily installable.

In the invention, the inserts essentially consist of a plurality of rectangular longitudinal boxes and a plurality of pipe line sections between the longitudinal bars thus forming a single unit. The inserts of the mat are secured to each other by means of plastic articulate joints and flexible hinges. The pipe line sections of adjacent inserts are bridged by flexible hose sections over the articulated points. The flexible hose sections which bridge the articulated points permit a sealed flow through the pipe line sections even if the individual inserts of the mat are in angular position to each other. This sealed passage is maintained because the articulated points connect the individual inserts nonthe pipe line sections having the bubble openings are offset from the plane of theupper faces of the longitudinal bars.

In order to permit a smooth flow through the individual pipe line sections of the inserts, the ends of the pipe line sections are preferably'provided with a connection piece onto which the end of a hose section may be mounted. In order to provide for a sufficient freedom of movement for the articulated connected inserts, the connection of the pipe line sections are arranged to be shorter than the longitudinal bars. This, a longer curvadetachably with each other. The arrangement of the articulated joints. made of plastic having a thin flexible hinge is advantageous in that the assembly parts are of simple construction, and a good plastic material has to be used only for this part of the mat. The inserts essentially consist of longitudinal bars with their associated pipe line sections being rigid and yet inexpensive to manufacture, because they can be made by injection molding. The boxlike longitudinal bars are closed on the upper face of the mat and provided with apertures in order to prevent the closure of the bubble openings in the mat by the body ofthe user. The upper sides of ture of radius is obtained which results in a lesser dc gree of angle for the inserts. In a preferred embodiment, the articulated point may be arranged so that each longitudinal bar of an insert is secured to a corresponding bar of an adjacent insert by means of a separate joint part. A reduction in assembly parts is made possible in that a single joint is fixedly connected with the longitudinal bars of the adjacent insert. The flexible hinge of the joint is provided with a plurality of apertures in order to lessen the displacement force for the articulated joint.

In a further embodiment, each pipe line section of one insert is connected with the corresponding pipe line section of the adjacent insert by means of a hose section, and are connected by an articulated joint. and in that the articulated joint is fixedly connected with the longitudinal bars of the adjacent inserts which are in the range of the corresponding pipe line section.

Thereby, the hose section may be connected with the articulated joint as a separate piece or may be made of one piece.

It is possible to prevent damage to the hose sections in the range of these articulated points by providing guiding ribs in the joints, so that the ribs are mounted vertically with respect to the upper surface of the mat and run laterally with respect to the hose section.

In a further embodiment of the articulated joint, all

- pipe line sections of one insert are connected by a single intermediary piece with the pipe line section of the adjacent insert and the corresponding hose connections so that the articulatedjoints of the intermediary piece is secured to the longitudinal bars of the adjacent inserts. The intermediary piece connects two inserts and assumes all functions which are required by the articulated joints. The hose connections can be easily bent in any vertical direction with respect to the upper surface of the mat. In particular, each hose section is provided with a plurality of flange-like circumferential ribs between their connecting ends. The ribs improve the flexibility of the hose section so that even under forceful bending, the inner diameter of the hose section is not crimped at the point of bending. In a further solution to this problem, the hose connections may be designed so that they are of bellow-like shape outside their connecting ends.

The edges of the mat may be terminated so that the longitudinal edges of the inserts which end with longitudinal bars are provided with an angled edge which extends above the height of the pipe line sections. To complete the bubble mat, a front end of the inserts which is connected with the mat is secured to a closing piece for the pipe line sections, while the other front end of the mat is secured to a distribution element by an articulated point formed by hose sections and articulate joints. The distribution element connects the hose sections with a common pressure connection. In order to activatethe bubble effect, valves are provided in the I nously adjustable control valves.

"- In another embodiment, the valves may be provided in a lateral bore in the distribution element in form of axially displaceable pipe jackets which alternately close the inner ends of the outlet jackets for the pipe line sections with at least one valve head. The inserts and the articulated joints can be connected without additional connecting elements since holes are provided in the inserts for retaining bolts which are molded onto the articulated joint and are thermoplastically deformed after insertion into the holes.

In order to assure an even bubble effect over the total length of the pipe line sections, different inserts are used wherein the pipe line sections have a different number of bubble openings. The different inserts are connected so that the insert which has the least number of bubble openings in their pipe line sections is connected with the distribution element, and the insert which has the most number of bubble openings in their pipe line sections is connected with the end piece. In this way, the pressure loss in the pipe line section from the supply point to the bubble openings is balanced.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bubble mat for use in bath tubs which is simple in design, inexpensive in cost and reliable in operation,

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the drawings which show the embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only, and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view off one piece insert for a bubble matin accordance with the invention consisting of Ion gitudinal bars andassociated pipe line sections;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the insert according to FIG. 1, taken along lines II-II;

I FIG. 3 is a cross section through the insert according to FIG. 1, taken along lines IIIIII;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the front end of the insert according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an articulated joint with a hose section for connecting a single pipe line section of an adjacent insert;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the articulated joint according to FIG. 5, taken along line VI- FIG. 7 is a view of the front end of the-articulated joint, according to FIG. 5;

FIGS is the side view of the articulated joint according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a hose connection in a partlycut-off side view;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the hose connection of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the distribution ele ment and the end piece of a bubble mat; and.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the distribution piece of a bubble mat in accordance with the invention. de

Referring to FIG. 1, a single insert 10 of the mat for use in a bath tub consists of longitudinal box-like bars 11. Pipe line sectionsl6 are arranged between these longitudinal bars. The six longitudinal bars 11 that are shown, and the five pipe line sections 16 exte,nd essentially across the total width of the bath tub. Longitudinal bars 11 are provided with apertures 15 which facilitate the submerging of the mat into the water. As'can be seen from sectional view of FIG. 2, the closing face of box-like longitudinal bars 11 define the resting plane or supporting surface for the user, while 'pipe line sections 16' with bores 17 are offset from that plane. Therefore, the bubble openings 19 of pipe line sections 16 are always free. As can beseen from FIG. 3, the angled outer edges 12 of the outer longitudinal bars 11 extend beyond the total height of pipe line sections 16. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the front surface edges 13 of longitudinal bars 11 carry mounting bores 14 which are adjacent to the openings of the box-like longitudinal bars 11. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, bores 17 of pipe line sections 16 run into expanded plug receiving means 18. It should be mentioned that longitudinal bars 11 and pipe line sections 16 may be made in one piece, preferably in an injection molding process.

The articulated part is shown in FIG. 5. The hinge parts 24 and 25, as well as the flexible hinge 29 with apertu're 27 are made of one flexible unit together with hose section 21 and its associated connecting section 22. Hose section 21 may also be provided with bubble openings 50. Hinge parts 24 and 25 can be provided with retaining bolts which can be inserted into holes 14 of inserts 10 and are retained therein due to thermoplastic deformation. I-Iinge parts 24 and 25 may be provided with bores into which retaining elements are inserted which are mounted on inserts 10.

It should be understood that it is also possible to connect a separate hose section with a separate articulate joint, or to connect a plurality of hose connections 21 and articulate joints 20 to a single intermediary piece, which extends overthe total width of insert IOand which comprises acorresponding number of hose sections 21 for the number of pipe line sections 16 of insert 10. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment for the hose section 21. Each hose section is provided with a round cross-sectional diameter, the connecting ends 22 which are provided with a square cross section to accommodate the receiving means 18 of pipe line sections 16. Between the connecting ends the hose section is provided a plurality of flange-like extending circumferential ribs 21a which are closely spaced apart and integrally formed with the hose connection. In FIG. 9a, the ribs are shown to have a rectangular shape. Ribs 21a improve the flexibility of the hose section in such a manner that the internal diameter of the hose section is not diminished,at the bending point, even under a forceful bending. To improve the flexibility of hose section 21, the section can be made in the form of a bellow. Moreover, connecting ends 22 of hose section 21 may be bonded or welded to receiving means 18 ofpipe line sections 16, so that the pipe lines are completely sealed at the articulated joint between inserts 10. However, it is important that the single unit plastic articulated joints are secured to the adjacent inserts so that hose section 21 can be simultaneously retained in pipe line sections 16.

Y Referring to FIG. 10, the assembled mat is closed with a distribution piece'30 at one front face having a pressure inlet jacket 31 which is in connection with outlets 33 by means of a transverse channel 32. Outlets 33 and short bar pieces 34 actually form one connecting end which corresponds to the end of insert 10, and can be connected with insert with equal sized articulated joints and hose sections 21. Adjustable valve bodies 39 are mounted in channel 32, so that an arresting element 35 can be moved in a slot 36. Element 35 can be adjusted by an adjustment knob 37 so that outlets 33 may be gradually opened or closed by means of the flow through channel 38 of valve body 39. This permits the bubble effect of the associated pipe line section to be continuously adjusted. It is therefore possible to regulate all pipe line sections of the mat individually or in groups. The valves may be made of a valve body which is adjustable in transverse channel 32 either radially, or axially.

The other end of the mat is closed by an end piece 40 which is provided with a retaining rib 43 and a closing jacket 41. Closing jackets 41 close receiving means 18 of pipe line sections 16 of insert 10. End piece 40 is connected with insert 10 by means of retaining rib 43. Retaining rib 43 is provided with an eyelet 42 for mounting the mat.

Insert 10 which joins end piece 40 is provided with a larger number of bubble openings 19 than the insert portion which joins distribution piece 30, so that the bubble effect can be balanced over the total length of the mat. The diameter of bubble openings 19 may also be varied.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of distribution piece 30. Adjustment slides 45 are provided at the outer ends of transverse channel 32 and include an adjustment knob outside of the channel. A pipe jacket 46 is connected with the adjustable knob and is axially slideable in the transverse channel. Pipe jacket 46 is provided with a valve head 47 which is mounted on a flange-like flexible extension of pipe jacket 46. On the side away from the valve head, pipe jacket 46 is provided with a hook-like extending abutment 48 which extends into a slot 49 in the wall of channel 32. When the adjustment slide 45 is in the position shown in FIG. 11, valve head 47 closes the inner end of outlet 33, so that pipe line section 16 is also closed because it is connected with the outlet jacket. The adjustment slide 45 can be moved outwardly from channel 32 until abutment 48 engages the end of slot 49, so that valve head 47 completely opens the opening of outlet 33. In this manner, the outer pipe line sections 16 may be shut on and off, as desired.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention are shown and described it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat;

a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and integrally formed therewith, and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length. said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and

coupling means comprising a plurality of articulated joints each having a flexible hinge portion for joining said bars to adjacent bars of a further mat. 2. The mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said articu- 5 lated joints comprise flexible hose sections each bridged over a joint across its flexible hinge portion.

3. The mat according to claim 2, wherein said bars include flanges secured to their longitudinal ends. said flanges being tapered and extending beyond the length of said pipe sections.

4. The mat according to claim 3, wherein said flanges include bores, and said articulated joints include retaining bolts which are deformed thermoplastically after they are inserted into said bores.

5. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises receiving means formed on the ends of said pipe sections.

6. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said cou pling means comprises hose jackets formed on the ends of said pipe sections.

7. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said pipe sections are shorter than said longitudinal bars.

8. A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal spaced'apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat;

a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.

9. The mat according to claim 8 wherein the hinge portion of said articulated joint includes a plurality of apertures.

10. The mat according to claim 8, wherein said articulated joint includes guide ribs which are vertical with respect to the planar surface ofthe bars and lateral with respect to said pipe sections.

11. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said cou pling means comprises a hose section having a plurality' of flange-like circumferentially arranged ribs integrally formed with the hose section.

12. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a closing piece for sealing one end of said pipe sections, a distribution element for coupling the opposite end of said pipe sections, and articulated joints having hose sections for joining said distribution element to said pipe sections, said distribution element including a single input pressure connection.

13. The mat according to claim 12, wherein said distribution element additionally comprises valve means for controlling the pressure to said pipe sections.

14. The mat according to claim 13 wherein said valve means comprise continuously adjustable control valves.

15. The mat according to claim 12 wherein said hose sections are bonded to said pipe sections.

16. The mat as recited in claim 13, wherein said valve means comprises an axially displacable slide disposed in said distribution element, said slide including a flexible flange-like extension, valve head means mounted on said extension and in communication with said pipe sections. and an abutment formed on said slide and in contact with said distribution element to limit the displacement path of said slide. 

1. A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and integrally formed therewith, and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and coupling means comprising a plurality of articulated joints each having a flexible hinge portion for joining said bars to adjacent bars of a further mat.
 2. The mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said articulated joints comprise flexible hose sections each bridged over a joint across its fiexible hinge portion.
 3. The mat according to claim 2, wherein said bars include flanges secured to their longitudinal ends, said flanges being tapered and extending beyond the length of said pipe sections.
 4. The mat according to claim 3, wherein said flanges include bores, and said articulated joints include retaining bolts which are deformed thermoplastically after they are inserted into said bores.
 5. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises receiving means formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
 6. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises hose jackets formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
 7. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said pipe sections are shorter than said longitudinal bars.
 8. A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
 8. A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
 9. The mat accoRding to claim 19 wherein the hinge portion of said articulated joint includes a plurality of apertures.
 10. The mat according to claim 8, wherein said articulated joint includes guide ribs which are vertical with respect to the planar surface of the bars and lateral with respect to said pipe sections.
 11. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a hose section having a plurality of flange-like circumferentially arranged ribs integrally formed with the hose section.
 12. The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a closing piece for sealing one end of said pipe sections, a distribution element for coupling the opposite end of said pipe sections, and articulated joints having hose sections for joining said distribution element to said pipe sections, said distribution element including a single input pressure connection.
 13. The mat according to claim 12, wherein said distribution element additionally comprises valve means for controlling the pressure to said pipe sections.
 14. The mat according to claim 13 wherein said valve means comprise continuously adjustable control valves.
 15. The mat according to claim 12, wherein said hose sections are bonded to said pipe sections. 